Machine for manufacturing window envelopes



3 c. J. WENSLER MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING WINDOW EN VELOPES Filed Aug. 21, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 24, 1936. 4 c J, WENSLER MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING WINDOW ENVELOPES Filed Aug. 21, 1951 3 SheetsSheet 2 Qua/14 Nov. 24, 1936. C J WENSILER MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING WINDOW ENVELOPES Filed Aug. 21, 1931 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .Patented Nov. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING WINDOW ENVELOPES Charles J. Wensler, St. Louis, Mo., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Baltimore Paper Company, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application August 21, 1931, Serial No. 558,448

14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the manufacture of envelopes, and particularly to a machine for manufacturing window envelopes which is capable of performing all the necessary operations thereupon.

In the manufacture of envelopes which are provided with the so-called window, it is necessary to preliminarily punch the preformed blank so as to form the window opening. After the opening has been punched, a suitable strip of semi-transparent paper such as for instance onion skin or parchment may be applied thereto covering the opening, and is'preferably secured by a suitable cement or gum about the edges of the punched opening. After the window has been thus formed the blank may proceed through the usual folding apparatus in the same manner as ordinary envelopes. It has heretofore been the practice to employ different machines for forming the windows and folding the blanks to form finished envelopes, but in accordance with the present invention a single machine is provided with the necesasry parts so co-ordinated as to render the manufacture of window envelopes continuous and without necessitating the transfer of blanks from one machine to another during the process of manufacture.

In the manufacture of window envelopes, and particularly in the preparation of the blanks for folding, as a general rule three distinct operations are performed. The blanks must be first I the punched opening and subsequently the socalled patch may be secured in position over the punched opening by means of the strip of gum or cement. It is recognized that the application of the gum or cement about the punched opening, as well as the application of the patch to the opening, may be advantageously accomplished by means of apparatus of the rotating type but in view of the fact that punches of the rotating type have as a general rule been unsuccessful for the punching of paper such as envelope blanks, it has heretofore been diflicult to devise a unitary apparatus for successfully accomplishing the various operations necessary in the preparation of window envelope blanks for the folding apparatus.

An object of this invention, generally stated, is to provide a machine for manufacturing window envelopes in which the various necessary operations are accomplished in substantial continuity.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine for making window envelopes in which the blanks, after having the windows formed therein proceed automatically to the folding apparatus.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for making window envelopes in which a part of the window forming apparatus is of the rotating type and other parts are of the reciprocating type.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a machine for making window envelopes in which the blanks are transported by a continuously moving conveyor, but arrested for a sufficient time to permit the punching thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide amachine for making window envelopes in which the gumming apparatus is automatically controlled to prevent smearing of cooperating parts in the absence of a blank to be operated upon.

Other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: v

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating generally the window forming apparatus of an envelope machine co-ordinated with the separating and folding apparatus.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the window forming apparatus of the envelope machine illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3- is a detailed view illustrating a blank arresting device.

Figure 4 is a detailed view in end elevation of the gumming apparatus of an envelope machine showing particularly the automatic control therefor.

Figure 5 is a detailed view in side elevation showing the gumming apparatus illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detailed view illustrating the punch operating mechanism for an envelope machine constructed in accordance with this invention.

In accordance with this invention, a machine is provided for the manufacture of window envelopes in which the preformed blanks, having the necessary printed matter thereon, may be fed to a machine and will proceed directly through the window forming apparatus including the punching, gumming and patch applying steps,

to the folding apparatus which latter may be of any suitable well known construction. It is recognized as pointed out above that the reciprocating type of punch is most desirable for use in the punching of paper blanks such as for instance envelope blanks, but with the use of such a reciprooating punch it becomes necessary that the blank to be punched be held in stationary position relative to the punch as the same is being punched. However, in view of the fact that the most satisfactory type of gumming and patch applying apparatus are of the rotating type in which it is not necessary to arrest the blank for operation thereupon the envelope machine of the present invention contemplates arresting the blank in punching position and causing the same to slide along a continuously moving conveyor while maintained in punching position. After the punching has been performed, however, the

blank may be released and will be transported by means of a continuously moving conveyor device into position for the usual gumming and patch applying steps. Upon completion of these oper ations the blank with the window formed therein will in accordance with this invention proceed directly to the folding apparatus.

Referring now particularly to the drawings, the window forming apparatus of an envelope machine is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises generally a pair of endless chain conveyor elements I and 2, which may be suitably driven from any desired source through sprocket wheels 5 and 6 at opposite ends thereof respectively. The sprocket wheels Band 6 for chains and 2 may be mounted upon suitable shafts such as 1 and 8, which latter may be driven by any suitable means in order that the endless chains l and 2 will be advanced in synchronism. The shafts I and 8 may be suitably mounted in brackets such as 9 which may in turn be mounted upon any suitable structure such as for instance a table or frame work, not shown.

A suitable sub-frame such as for instance l may be suitably mounted upon the table or frame work, not shown, and upon the sub-frame H) the various devices for performing the necessary operations in the formation of a window may be mounted.

Adjacent one end of the sub-frame ID, a suitable punching device ll, preferably gf the reciprocating type, may be provided. Such a punch as I! may be provided with a vertically moving male punching member adapted to cooperate with a suitable female punching member disposed therebeneath. The punch H is preferably provided with a guiding shank l2 slidably mounted in the frame "I. Suitable operating mechanism for the punch I is essentially provided and preferably coordinated with the remaining apparatus so that the various devices operate in harmony. The operating mechanism for the punch II will be more fully described hereinafter.

A suitable gumming device I3, preferably of the rotary type and comprising a transfer device l4 mounted for rotation upon a suitable shaft l5 and cooperating with a suitable backing roll such as I6 is provided substantially centrally of the sub-frame ID. A suitable gum tray I1 is preferably provided in the region of the gumming device I3 and within the gum tray l1 suitable transfer rolls, such as 8 may be mounted for rotation. It is apparent that with transfer rolls l9 continuously rotating in a reservoir of gum or cement of any suitable character, a uniform amount thereof will be delivered to the outermost of the transfer rolls I9. The transfer roll I9 is disposed in position for engagement with the transferring device H of the gumming mechanism, it being apparent that the periphery of the roll I9 is tangent to the path of the transfer device l4 so that the transfer device l4 engages the roll l9 upon each revolution thereof and receives a coating of gum therefrom. The gumming mechanism and its cooperating parts will be more fully described hereinafter.

As pointed out above, the gumming device I3 is preferably mounted upon a shaft l5, through which the power for driving the various apparatus for performing the various operations in the formation of the windows may be conveniently delivered. Accordingly, a suitable sprocket wheel such as 20 may be mounted upon one end of a shaft l5 and a suitable endless chain as 2| provided in engagement therewith for delivering power therefrom to the various other apparatus. Similarly, a sprocket wheel 22 may be mounted upon the shaft carrying one of the transfer rolls I8 in the gum tray I! so that upon movement of the shaft IS with its sprocket wheel 20, the transfer rolls in the gum tray will be likewise operated.

A sprocket wheel 23 mounted upon a shaft 24 may also be mounted in position for engagement by the chain 2| and the power delivered to the sprocket wheel 24 utilized for operating a suitable patch applying mechanism.

It may be pointed out that any suitable type of patch applying mechanism may be employed in connection with the machine of the present invention. A suitable type of such mechanism is illustrated generally in Figures 1 and 2, and comprises generally a suitable support such as 25 for receiving a reel of onion skin or parchment paper as 26 from which the window patches'are to be cut. Suitable guide rollers such as 21 may be provided for directing a strip of. paper from the roll 26 to a pair of feed rolls 28, either or both of which may be suitably driven such as for instance through a gear connection with a shaft 24. It is to be understood that the peripheral speed of the feed rolls 28 is preferably regulated so that a patch of appropriate length is fed upon the advance of each envelope blank by the conveying chains and 2. A suitable knife such as 29 is preferably mounted in slidable relation for movement across the patch strip as it issues from the feed rolls 28 and any suitable type of mechanism may be provided for periodically manipulating the knife 29 in order that the strips issuing by the patch applying machine may be of the desired width. As illustrated generally in the drawings, the knife 29 is slidably mounted in a suitable guide 30 and a spring 3| is provided for biasing the knife 29 upwardly and out of the path of the patch strip issuing from the feed rolls 28. A suitable cam such as 32 is preferably provided for causing the knife 2| to move periodically downwardly and across the patch strip. The cam 32 may be suitably dfiven from a corresponding cam mounted upon the shaft 24, but not shown.

A suitable picking device, preferably provided with an arm 33 and having at is lower end a suitable picker 34 which is preferably of the vacuum type may be pivotally mounted upon a shaft 35 and operated by a suitable cam such as 36 mounted upon a shaft 24 to cause the picker 34 thereof to swing back and forth between positions adjacent the knife 29 and a roller 31. It will be understood that the picker 34 if of the vacuum type may be suitably controlled in any well known manner to cause the same to engage the patch as it is clipped by the knife 29 and release the same as it is engaged by the roller 31. A suitable connecting rod such as 38 may be provided for connecting the arm 33 with the cam 36 for communicating the movement of the cam to the arm and thus effecting the desired movement of the patch from position adjacent the cutting knife 29 into position where it may be clamped by the roller 31 against an advancing blank in a manner to be described hereinafter;

After the patch has been secured in position by the operation of the roller 31, the blank may be advanced to a suitable folding mechanism which may be of any well known type. Such folding mechanism is illustrated generally in Figures 1 and 2, and comprises a set of suitable scoring disks 39, disposed in position adjacent the ends of the endless conveyor chains and 2 and adapted to score the blank along the line of the end folds and deliver the same to the usualmay be provided. .The conveyor chains 4| may be suitably driven in any desired manner such as for instance through sprocket wheels 428 which may be mounted upon the same shaft as one set of the sprocket wheels 5 and 6 for chains I and 2. Disposed in position adjacent the end of the conveyor chains 4| and the conveyor chains and 2, a suitable separating and spacing device, such as for instance a set of rollers 42, having an eccentric surface 43, may be provided. The rollers 42 may be driven frcm any suitable source, preferably so that the peripheral speed of the surface 43 is considerably higher than the speed at which the chains 4| are traveling. With an arrangement of this sort, it is apparent that upon each revolution of the roller 42, the eccentric surface 43 may engage an envelope blank proceeding on chains 4|, and in view of. the fact that the eccentric surface 43 is driven at a greater speed than the blanks on the chains 4|, an individual blank will be separated from the stack such as 44 on chains 4| upon each revolution of the roller 42.

Mounted upon the sub-frame l8 and suitably driven through any desired mechanism, preferably from the chains and 2 is a set of rollers 45 disposed one upon each side of the frame and adjacent the chains I and 2 respectively. The rollers 45 are preferably so driven that the peripheral speed thereof is in excess of the speed at which the chains and 2 are traveling. Cooperating with the rollers 45, a set of cooperating rollers such as 46 may be provided. The rollers 46 may be loosely mounted upon shafts such as 41 in order to permit slight relative movement between the rollers 46 and the corresponding shafts 4'! so that the rollers 46 may rest in frictional engagement with the roller 45 and the roller 45 will support the weight of the roller 46. It will be understood that the rollers 45 and 46 are so disposed that an envelope blank being advanced by the chains and 2 will be caused to pass therebetween and in view of the fact that the peripheral speed of the roller 45 is in excess of the speed of the chains I and 2, the blanks upon engagement between the rollers 45 and 46 will be suddenly thrust forward relative to the chains. It may be pointed out that the roll-ers 45 and 46 may be so disposed as to be in continuous engagement with a blank and thus to continuously tend to force the blank forward during the time in which the blank is arrested for the punching operation. 1 Disposed on the opposite side of the punch I from the rollers 45 and 46 and in position for engagement with the leading edge of the blank which is being advanced by the chains I and 2, a suitable stopping device such as 48 is provided. 'I'hestopping device 48 is preferably of -a reciprocating type whereby the stop is moved into and out of the pathway of the passing blanks periodically. Such a stopping device may be driven by any suitable mechanism in harmony with the other apparatus such as for instance through a sprocket wheel 49 engaging the corresponding chains and 2, it being understood that there is provided one such stopping device as 48 adjacent each of the chains. The sprocket wheel 49 may be mounted upon a suitable shaft such as 58 which may be suitably journaled in the sub-frame I0. A cam 5| is also mounted upon the shaft 58 as is clearly illustrated in Figure 3 and a suitable followeres 52 positioned for engagement with the surface thereof. As clearly illustrated in Figure 3, the stop member 48 may be provided with a suitable guide shank 53, slidably carried by vmeans of a suitable barrel 54 which latter may be mounted upon the sub-frame ID in any desired manner. A suitable spring such as 55 may be provided for biasing the stop 48 into a position out of the pathway of the. advancing envelope blanks. With the arrangement thus described, it is apparent that upon each revolution of the sprocket wheel 49, the cam 5| will make one complete revolution and the follower 52 with the stop 48 will be raised and lowered corresponding to the surface of the cam 5|. It may be pointed out that the cam 5| may be so adjusted with reference to the other mechanism of the envelope machine of this invention that the stop 48 is moved into position for arresting an envelope blank substantially simultaneously with the engagement of the blank by the rollers 45 and 46, so that the stop 48 will be in position to interrupt the travel of a blank as the same is thrust forward by the action of the roller 45.

It may be pointed out that the chains I and 2 are preferably provided with a plurality of blank engaging members such as 56, suitably mounted thereon to travel therewith and disposed for engagement with the trailing edges of the envelope blanks as they are being advanced through the apparatus. It will be apparent, therefore, that when the leading edge of an envelope blank becomes engaged between the rollers 45 and 46, the same will be suddenly thrust forward ahead of the members 56 until arrested by the stops 48. During the interval between the arresting of the blank by the stop 48 and the time at which a member 56 again engages the trailing edge of the blank, it will be understood that the blanks will slide. along the chains and 2, being maintained in stationary position relative the punch during which time the punch II is adapted to operate to form the window hole.

The punch may be driven by any su table mechanism so timed that the punching operation will be completed in the interval between the arresting of an advancing blank by the stop 48 and the re-engagement thereof with members 56. In the embodiment illustrated, the operating mechanism for the punch comprises a cam 51 mounted upon a shaft l5, through which shaft the gumming and patch applying mechanisms receive their driving power, so that the punch I I may be readily driven in properly timed relation with reference to the other apparatus. The driving mechanism for the punch II is clearly illustrated inFlgure 6, from it will be seen that a connecting rod 58 having a bifurcated end 59 in slidable relation with the shaft I5 is provided with a follower 60 disposed for engagement with the surface of the cam 51. A bellcrank lever GI suitably mounted upon the frame as through a bracket 62 has one arm 63 thereof pivotally connected with the end of the connecting rod 58. The otherarm of the bell crank lever BI engages the punch II through a pin and slot connection 64. With the arrangement thus described, it is apparent that when the cam 51 is rotated the follower 68 with the connecting rod 58 may be moved to the right and left and accordingly the punch II will be raised and lowered. It will be understood that a suitable spring device as I I may be interposed in the mechanism just described, in order to render the downward movement of the punch I I positive.

In view of the fact that the punchings may tend to stick in the punch II, a suitable device such as for instance a rod or plunger 65 may be provided for forcing the same out of the end of the punch as the punched blank is advanced from a position therebeneath. The rod 85 may be in the nature of a tappet, the lower end 66 of which may extend below the die 61 on the end of the punch II as the latter moves into its raised position. The rod 65 may be suitably mounted upon an arm 88 carried by a bar 69, so as to extend downwardly within the guiding portion I2 of the punch and in position for ejecting the punchings as the punch moves into its upward position.

The backing roll I6 is preferably mounted upon the sub-frame I0 through suitable resilient connections such as I8 in order that'sufficient pressure may be exerted upon a blank passing between the roll I8 and the gum transfer device l4 to assure that a film of gum or paste will remain upon the advancing blank and about the window hole which has been previously punched therein. In order to prevent smearing of the backing roll I6, under such circumstances as the machine may skip a blank or under such circumstances as starting or stopping the machine in which during a particular revolution of the gum transfer device I4 no blank will be interposed between the gum transfer device and the roll I 8, mechanism is provided in accordance with this invention for moving the gum transfer device radially away from the backing roller I6 in order to space the gum transfer device from the surface of the roll I8 and prevent smearing thereof. Such mechanism is illustrated clearly in Figures 4 and from which it will be observed that the gum transfer device I4 is mounted upon a cross arm such as I3 provided with a central opening I2 slightly larger than the shaft I5 in order to permit relative movement therebetween. Rigidly mounted upon the shaft I5 is a disk II provided with flanges 14 adapted to engage the sides of the cross bar 13. With the arrangement just described, it is apparent that the arm I3 carrying the gum transfer device l4 will be driven by the shaft I5 through the disk II and the flanges I4, and also that the arm I3 carrying the gum transfer device I4 is floating relative the shaft l5 and the disk II to the extent of the opening I2. Suitable springs such as I5 are preferably provided for biasing the gum transfer device I4 radially toward the shaft I5. Mounted upon each end of the gum transfer device I4, a suitable follower I6 is provided in position for cooperation with a circular cam II, itbelng understood that one such cam and follower is provided at each end of the gum transfer device I4. The circular cam 11 is preferably formed of two parts, one of which I8 may be permanently mounted in any desired manner upon a frame piece I9. Pivotally mounted by means of a pin such as 80, is a second cam section 8I, which may be moved relative to the stationary cam piece I8. As clearly illustrated in Figure 4, the movable cam section 8| may be provided with a suitable pin and slot organization 82 for limiting the movement thereof. Interposed between the end 83 of the movable cam section 8I and end 84 of the stationary cam section I8 a spreader 85 is provided. The spreader 85 may be mounted upon a suitable shaft as 86, extending through the frame piece I9 and having at the outer end thereof a suitable lever as 8I secured thereto. Slidably connected with the lever 81 is a crank arm 88 secured upon the outer end of a shaft 89 also journaled in the frame piece I9 and extending across the sub-frame I0. Mounted centrally upon the shaft 89, a finger such as 98 may be provided. The finger 90 is of such length that some portion thereof will normally extend across the path of the advancing envelope blanks 9i as they proceed to the gumming apparatus and the parts just described are preferably constructed of light material being, however, of sufficient weight to cause the finger'90 to drop down into position across the path of the advancing blanks, but of suflicient lightness to enable two parts to be moved into the position of Figures 4 and 5 by means of an advancing envelope blank such as 8| illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. With the arrangement just described, it, is apparent that when the finger 98 is in the position illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the spreader 85 will operate to maintain the cam sections I8 and 8| in position so that the peripheries thereof form a circular surface for engagement with the follower IB. When, however, there is not present such a blank as 8| for maintaining the finger 98 in the position illustrated, it is apparent that the parts will by virtue of their own weight drop into such position that the finger 80 stands almost vertically; at which time the spreader 85 will have been turned through substantially ninety degrees thus permitting the end 83 of the movable cam section 8I to approach closer to the end 84 of the stationary cam section I8 and thus sufl'iciently reducing the throw of the cam in the zone below the horizontal diameter to cause the gum transfer device I4 torecede from the backing roll I8. It will be understood that the size of the spreader 85 may be varied in accordance with operating conditions in order to render the spacing between the gum transfer device I4 and the backing roll I6 just suflicient to prevent transfer of gum from the device I4 to the backing roll I6 in the absence of an advancing blank such as 9|.

Before proceeding with a description of the operation of the machine just described, it may be pointed out that the various individual mechanisms may be suitably driven from any desired source, not shown, and that the various operating parts are to be driven in properly timed relation such as for instance through geared connections, which connections for the sake of simplicity have been eliminated from the drawings.

In the operation of the device just described, a stack of envelope blanks 44 may be fed to the machine by means of conveyor chains 4|. In operation, the chains 4| preferably move at such a speed that the rollers 42- may make a complete revolution during the time required for advancing the chains H a distance corresponding to the displacement of respective blanks of the stack 44. After the forward-most blank of the stack 44 comes into position beneath the rollers 42 the eccentric surface 43 thereof will engage the blank and suddenly thrust the same forward at a speed in excess of the speed of the chains 4|, thus separating and spacing the blanks so that they may proceed through the machine in the manner to be now described. When the forward edge of a blank picked from the pile 44 by rollers 42 comes into engagement with rollers 45 and 46, the roller 45 having a greater peripheral speed than the speed of the chains I and 2, operates to suddenly thrust the blank forwardly relative to the chains. In the meantime the stop 48 has been moved into such position that the travel of the blanks such as 92 will be interrupted and the blank maintained inposition illustrated by the dotted lines in Figure 2, at which time the forward edges thereof will be in engagement with the stops 48 which latter cooperate with notches such as 93 in the envelope blanks to properly align the same with respect to the punch II. It will be understood that during the time in which the blank such as 92 is being arrested by the stops 48, the rollers 45 and 46 are'preferably continuously active to force the blank 92 into engagement with the stops 48 so that proper alignment and positioning thereof with the punch H is assured. While thus maintained in aligned position with reference to the punch H, the punch operating mechanism illustrated in Figure 6 operates to force the punch ll downwardly so that the die element thereof perforates the blank forming the window opening. In the meantime, the blank engaging member 56 will have moved into position immediately behind the trailing edge of the blank 92 and upon completion of the punching operation the cam i operates to permit stop 48 to drop out of its blank arresting position so that upon engagement of the blank 92 by the member 56, the blank may proceed without interruption through the machine and to the gumming mechanism It. As the blank continues to advance through the machine the member 56 will remain in continuous engagement with the trailing edge thereof in order to positively advance the same through the mechanism in properly timed relation.

As the members 56 on chains l and 2 advance the blank into such a position that the perforation approaches the backing roll I6, the gum transfer device It moves into engagement therewith and applies a film of gum about the edges of the perforation. A suitable stripping device may if desired be provided for assuring release of the blank from the gum transferring device M. It will be understood that the chains l and 2 are continuously moving and that during the application of the gum to the blank the travel of the blank is uninterrupted. Upon further movement of the chains I and 2, the members 56 operate to advance the blank into a position where the perforation with its edges gummed comes into position beneath the roller 31, at which time the patch applying mechanism hereinbefore described operates to force an appropriate patch into position covering the perforation and in engagement with the gum. During such travel of the blank it is apparent that the gum transfer device l4 will have moved into engagement with the gummed roll l9 so that the supply of gum or paste upon the gum transfer device I4 will have been replenished. It will be understood that the various envelope blanks from the stack 44 will be continuously, separated and fed to the window forming apparatus and as the various blanks issue from the patch applying device at the roller 31, the same will be fed directly to the scoring disks 39 and the other folding mechanism such as for instance the plowshares 40.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that an envelope machine has been provided in which the envelope blanks are proceeded directly through the window forming apparatus and delivered directly to the folding apparatus of the machine and that the apparatus for performing the various operations is so arranged and coordinated that a continuously moving conveyor may be employed for advancing the blanks through the machine. It is apparent that many modifications of the machine hereinbefore described which will not depart from the spirit of the invention will present themselves to those skilled in the art, and it is to be distinctly understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to the specific details which have been set forth hereinbefore or which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be distinctly understood that such modifications and the use of such individual features and sub-combinations of features as do not depart from the spirit of this invention are contemplated by and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A device of the kind described comprising, continuously movingmeans having protrusions for engaging and advancing blanks, a punch, and means for arresting the blanks at the punch.

2. A device of the kind described comprising, continuously moving means having protrusions for engaging and advancing blanks, a punch, and means for causing the blanks to move relative to said advancing means in the region of said punch.

3. A device of the kind described comprising, continuously moving means for advancing blanlm, a member on said means disposed for positive engagement with the blanks, and means for advancing blanks on the continuously moving means at a speed greater than the speed of said member.

4. A device of the kind described comprising, continuously moving means for advancing blanks, a punch disposed to operate on the blanks, a member on said means disposed for positive engagement with a blank, means for advancing a blank on the continuously moving means at a speed greater than the speed of said member, and means for arresting the blanks thus advanced in position beneath the punch.

5. A device of the kind described comprising, continuously moving means for advancing blanks, a member on said means disposed for positive engagement with a blank, means for ad vancing a blank on the continuously moving means at a speed greater than the speed of said member, and means for arresting the blanks thus advanced until the blank is engaged by said member.

6. A device of the kind described comprising, continuously moving means for advancing blanks, a punch disposed to operate on the blanks, a member on said means disposed for positive engagement with a blank, means for advancing a blank on the continuously moving means at a speed greater than the speed of said member, means for arresting.the blanks thus advanced until the blank is engaged by said member, and means for operating the punch while the blank is arrested.

7. A device of the kind described comprising. continuously moving means for advancing blanks, a member on said means disposed for positive engagement with the blanks, means for advancing said blanks ahead of said member, means for arresting the blanks thus advanced, and means for releasing said arresting means when said member engages said blank.

8. A device of the kind described comprising, a punch, continuously moving means for advancing blanks, a member on said means disposed for positive engagement with the blanks, means for advancing said blanks ahead of said member, and means for arresting the blanks thus advanced and aligning the same in position beneath the punch. a

9. A device of the kind described comprising continuously moving means having protrusions for engaging and advancing blanks, apunch, a gumming mechanism, and a patch applying mechanism arranged along said advancing means, and means for arresting the blanks ad jacent the punch.

10. A device of the kind described comprising, continuously moving means having protrusions for engaging and advancing blanks, a reciproeating punch, means for arresting the blanks in position adjacent the punch, a gumming mechanism, and a patch applying mechanism, said mechanisms being adapted to operate on the moving blanks.

11. A device of the kind-described comprising, continuously moving means having protrusions for engaging the advancing blanks, a punch, a rotatable gum transfer device movable radially of its axis, a guide controlling the radial movement of said transfer device, and means disposed in the path of blanks and arranged to change the position of the guide in accordance with the absence or presence of a blank.

12. A device of the kind described comprising, continuously moving means having protrusions for engaging the advancing blanks, a punch, a rotatable gum transfer device movable radially of its axis, a guide controlling the radial movement of said transfer device, a spring biasing the transfer device against the guide, and means disposed in the path of the blanks operative in the absence of a blank to cause said spring to contract said guide.

13. A device of the kind described comprising, continuously moving means having protrusions for engaging the advancing blanks, a punch, a rotatable gum transfer device movable radially of its axis, a guide controlling the radial movement of said transfer device, an element forming a part of the guide and movable to vary the length of the guide, and means in the path of blanks for moving said element.

14. A device of the kind described comprising, continuously moving means having protrusions for engaging the advancing blanks, a punch, a rotatable gum transfer device movable radially of its axis, a guide controlling the radial movement of said transfer device, said transfer device having a stationary part and a movable part, and means in the path of advancing blanks operative to vary the combined effective length of the guide parts.

CHARLES J. WENSLER. 

